Punishment

Affiliated with Citta Alveare Apartment E-2 Citizen Meteor, 4x, 60 seconds each

[corpuscaelestus]

“Something...feels off tonight. Like something has changed, but I can’t quite place it...”

[corpuscaelestus]

“In a lot of ways, the people in Ishgar could learn a lot from this city. Of course...we have to take the good with the bad in either case.”

[corpuscaelestus]

“I can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is looming on the horizon...”

[corpuscaelestus]

requippedheart:

[ ☩ ] - … Ah, that was awkward. Erza would stare in disbelief at how hard she had ended up splashing Jellal, the friendly gesture turning into something.. so much more severe than she had realized. That was until she saw the magic split the wave in half. Of course, his magic had always been impressive enough to do that. 

[ ☩ ] - But that was until he had decided to bring about his own tidal wave to strike her back. All of a sudden, Erza would have brought out one of her swords, albeit wooden, before attempting to slice it down in half similar to he had. Because it had no aspected magic to it nor was it made of steel, it only got so far, soaking Erza even further. 

[ ☩ ] - But now the problem was that these waters had effectively become a war ground. Defensive wise? Her wooden sword couldn’t do a lot. Offensive wise? Well, holding it with the tip outwards, a broad slash would be quickly moved, spreading a rather quick and heavy amount of water towards Jellal right back, but she would continue this up, knowing he couldn’t possibly break them all. 

The onslaught was nothing less than he would have expected of Erza. Even with her weapon replaced with a wooden facsimile, she was a force to be reckoned with.

Of course, with that said...

He had once been counted amongst the Ten Wizard Saints of Ishgar, so his own ability was nothing to be disregarded. Deflecting wave after wave with quick movements of his hands, Jellal watched and waited for his opening. Finally, it came. A wave just barely out of line with the rest. Jellal let the full amount of magic power that he had been allowed in this city to flow through his body, calling out the name of his spell as his body began to be enveloped by its golden glow.

“Meteor!”

The time had come to go on the counter offensive, and using his speed to dash through the gap between the singular, out of line, wave and the rest, Jellal quickly began to dash in circles around the scarlet-haired wizard, whipping the water into a vicious whirlpool in a matter of moments.

Never let it be said that Jellal Fernandes was a man who gave anything less than his all.

[requippedheart]

“ … “ The silence was rather deafening. At some point she felt at least one of them had to break some sort of ice. Other people were having fun around them and here they floated like a pair of bricks. Erza caught glance of what looked like some kids splashing for fun. That was fun! 

“ Erm, Jellal! Take this! “ And with a slap, Erza would have accidentally sent a small tidal wave towards Jellal as a means of trying to have some kind of fun. 

[corpuscaelestus]

As usual, the woman hardly knew her own strength. Jellal’s eyes widened as the wave generated by Erza’s slap swiftly bore down on him, threatening to overwhelm him entirely within mere moments.

Settling into as much of a defensive stance as he could manage while floating in the water, Jellal quickly extended both hands in front of him and let loose a wave of unaspected magic power to split the wave before him...though with the limitations on his abilities, he was only barely able to make the water part around him and he still ended up even more soaked than he had been before.

Letting out a quiet groan as he resurfaced, Jellal shot a look towards Erza.

This, of course, meant war.

Summoning the power of Meteor into his body, Jellal quickly rushed through the water, skirting past Erza and creating a small tidal wave of his own to rush over her.

[requippedheart]

[ ☩ ] - Well this was awkward. Having met with him earlier, the two had opted to just try and.. ease the sense of paranoia and misunderstandings by going for a swim. And by swim, it was the two of them floating awkwardly in the middle of the ocean waters as the waves just lightly rocked them. 

“ … This is.. fun. “ 

corpuscaelestus

[corpuscaelestus]

This was far from what he had thought she meant when she said that she would show him around the city, but with all of the lacrima-like objects that kept the city cooled off breaking down at once, in the middle of a scorching summer no less, the beach seemed like a logical place for the two to go. However...

“...very fun. Incredibly so.”

The awkwardness between the two had not faded as they floated in near silence.

[requippedheart]

“ Enough of this! ”

[ ☩ ] And swiftly would Erza headbutt Jellal with quite some force. It would probably send him flying but the woman was absolutely unscathed by such before offering a hand to help him up, looking down at him.

“ I have repeated myself long enough. My helping here would be of no issue. There are other things I could be doing.. but none more so than helping you like this. Now, quit being a fool and.. let me assist you. At the very least, we’ve some time for me to do so now. ”

[corpuscaelestus]

The blow to his head sent him backwards, his feet tearing up the concrete below him as he instinctively dug his heels in to try and slow his movement. She was as strong as ever, and her temper was still truly terrifying. Even as his ears rung and his head ached from the force of the blow, he found himself smiling. He truly was a fool. After all this time, after everything he did...

He simply couldn’t change the way he felt about her.

“...You’re right. I’m sorry, Erza. Since you’re so insistent, I’ll accept your assistance gladly.”

Regaining his footing, taking only a moment to scowl at the damage his backwards momentum had caused to the ground beneath him, he closed the distance between Erza and himself once more and extended a hand towards her.

“I’m in your capable hands.”

[requippedheart]

“ That’s not necessarily what I meant. “ Turning to met him as best as she could eye to eye she would do her best to try and ease up on the tension. The burdens and guilt he carried on his shoulders were astronomical and.. with a new setting, just hoped to ease everything.. not to what it could have been but what it could be. 

“ I mean.. important locations. Such as restaurants to eat at.. banks to store whatever money you choose to earn here. Parks, libraries.. all information that.. would just be easier to know ahead of time, in case anything were to happen. “ 

“ After all, its best have someone you know, be able to at least show you the bare minimum of what you need here,, right? “ 

[corpuscaelestus]

“...You’re right, of course, but I don’t want to trouble you. I’m sure you have plenty of other things to do that are more important than playing tour guide for me.”

It was a poor excuse. When it came down to it, he just didn’t want to be a bother to the woman. Even now, she continued to peer into the darkness to try and reach him...but he couldn’t allow her to. The light and the darkness needed to remain separate, no matter what his own feelings for her were. Of course...such things were always harder to hold to when she was within arms reach.

[tinyfists]

Wendy didn’t have a history of collapsing from exhaustion. In fact, she was pretty good at realizing her limitations in that regard. Sky magic was quick to drain one’s stamina, particularly when healing was involved, and even that was when she was already rested. Right now… she was just plain tuckered out. And now that she was on the ground she was exceptionally embarrassed on top of it all. 

“I’m okay! Honest! I just tripped…!” Clearly struggling, she wobbled up onto one knee and eventually up onto her feet with Jellal’s help. She was in denial, of course. In part because she was now inconveniencing Jellal because of her actions, but also in part because she was showing weakness. As a Fairy Tail mage, that was something she really just didn’t want to do.

But she was defeated here, she knew she had no room to argue with the only reason she was on her two feet. Wendy didn’t want to go back to the guild hall, either. Carla would scold her… “It’s a few blocks north… It’s one of the biggest buildings in the city, so you won’t miss it…” She almost looked like she wanted to cry. “I-I’m sorry…”

[corpuscaelestus]

“...Wendy, your bravery never fails to amaze me.” 

Continuing to support the girl as she stands, Jellal smiled softly at her excuses. It seemed like so long ago that they had met for the first time...but it was seven years longer for him than it had been for her. Being mistaken for his Edolas counterpart hadn’t been the best introduction they could have had, he was sure, but much like everyone else in Fairy Tail, he’d grown to believe in and trust this young girl and recognize her as the powerful mage that she was.

“We’ll move slowly. Tell me if you need to stop and take a break, alright? If I catch you falling over again, then I’ll just have to contact Erza and let her take care of you.”

[corpuscaelestus]

“...It’s a start.”

[requippedheart]

[ ☩ ] - It seemed both their minds and hearts were rather heavy with thought over recent bearings. It was rather hard to bring about this as mere casual conversation when there was a slew of topics they could discuss. The main problem was that.. they had to find that kind of mutual point to have the right to speak so casually. She’d listen to him talk about his encounters here and what had happened upon initial arrival. 

[ ☩ ] - It was rather.. hectic to say the least. Having arrived during the middle of a war? Outrageous. Still.. both fought tooth and nail against the forces and emerged clearly victorious because of it. Something they could both be proud of. 

“ … Then I suppose some adjustment is in order. It.. takes a while to get adjusted to a situation like this I suppose. It varies naturally, from person to person.. so what you wish to do at this point is up to you. But.. if you required my assistance.. I would not feel obligated to out of a necessity. I would merely do so. “ 

[corpuscaelestus]

“I...appreciate the offer, Erza...but I don’t want to trouble you. I’ve been given an apartment, and some measure of my magic remains intact. I should be able to manage.”

In truth, Jellal found himself at a complete loss as to what he should do in this new world. There was no Zeref to hunt, no Dark Guilds to destroy...the one thing that remained constant was Fairy Tail...and Erza. He couldn’t allow himself to become a burden to her, however, and as he was there was no way that he could be anything but.

He wouldn’t be the Jellal that held Erza back again.

[tinyfists]

“Ah, well… You’d be surprised at how many paths cross here, wanted or not!” Trying to compose herself, the child forced a smile. She’d seen plenty of unwanted individuals during her stay from Earthland, perhaps just as many as friendly ones. “Actually, there were members of Grimoire Heart here for a while…” Though, Tenroujima felt like so long ago now. Wendy had grown so much that she wasn’t sure if she was even that outclassed by those dark mages anymore. 

Even if Jellal looked like Mystogan, it was okay. Wendy had accepted it a while ago - the fact that they were different. Were they really that dissimilar though? They were both good people, so it didn’t really matter. Besides, even though he wasn’t really part of the guild, he was an honorary member in a sense.

“I’m okay, really! This city is just a busy place, so Fairy Tail is constantly getting requests! There isn’t exactly any competition in terms of guilds, so! Though thank you for your concern!” She bowed. While she wasn’t lying, she was still hiding the real source of her fatigue. She’d overburdened herself, anyone could see that.

And perhaps her attempt to conceal it had gone awry, as she suddenly collapsed into a heap. “…Oh?” That was the wrong reaction, Wendy.

[corpuscaelestus]

Jellal smiled silently at the small girl’s determination. Her fatigue was obvious, the fact that she was still standing at all was astonishing. Her magic power, while still strong, was dwindling with her physical condition. She needed rest, and he was prepared to do anything he could to ensure that she could...

Of course, that need proved itself to be much more urgent than even he knew when the girl fell to the ground, her voice murmuring out her surprise as she fell in a heap. Jellal threw aside all notions of hesitation and rushed to the girl, hooking his arms underneath her and lifting her head away from the ground.

“Fairy Tail...none of you know your limits, do you? We can talk about things like Grimoire Heart and guilds later...Where does the guild call home? I’ll take you there so you can rest.”

[requippedheart]

[ ☩ ] - Zeref. That was a name worth worrying about. Jellal had confidence in his group to handle such but one had to wonder if such a man was to wander free like that without restraint. Even worse more so if he were brought here. Thoughts like that were swept when Jellal was quick on the mark to change the subject as to how long she had been here. She closed her eyes for a moment in recollection before answering. 

“ At least a few months. Some others here more so. So I’m.. rather inexperienced in these parts compared to others. I would not call it a heavy detriment.. it’s been rather easy to pick up on the pace of this land. “ 

“ And I suppose it’s safe to assume that.. you’re rather new here. “ 

[corpuscaelestus]

“Months...I see.” 

That there had been no uproar from any of his contacts in Earthland about Erza’s disappearance meant one thing...there was some form of temporal manipulation at work. Perhaps time passed more slowly in this world when compared to their own, or maybe the wardens of this prison could pluck people from out of time itself...but either way, the possibilities left his thoughts once more drifting to Ultear and her Arc of Time. What would she have given for the power these ‘scientists’ so callously wielded? What would she have given up, sacrificed for it? No...there was no use in dwelling on it, nor even considering it. Ultear was gone, and both Jellal was trapped in this world.

“When we first met in this city...it had been only hours since my arrival. So, as of now, I suppose it’s only been a few days. I was on my way back to the others after a meeting with one of my informants, and I stopped to rest...when I awoke, I was in this place.”

[requippedheart]

[ ☩ ] - Yeah the situation already felt awkward enough. Thankfully it was the kind the two could at least attempt to press through. Although it was all too obvious that he was still finding.. some struggle with addressing and speaking with her. A matter she couldn’t truthfully blame him for, given the rather sudden circumstances. 

“ The.. feeling is mutual. “ She had a bit of an easier time speaking, but did so at least slow enough so he could have some time to think. Although she wondered if maybe giving him too much time would stop this conversation all together. 

“ I’ve been well off. This city has become second nature to me to where picking up on things was.. simple enough. As for yourself? “

[corpuscaelestus]

“I’m glad you’ve been well...I’ve been fine, so far as things can be considered as such in a world where Zeref is still walking free...I can only hope that the others are managing without me.”

Crime Sorcière...the group he had formed to destroy the Dark Guilds and bring down Zeref. He could only wonder at how they would hold together without him. He hoped Meredy, more than any of the others, would be alright. They two had been together the longest out of the remaining members now that Ultear had left them. But still...he had faith that they would be able to continue without him until he could find his way out of this place.

“How long have you been here, Erza?”

[cherubxm]

Thoroughly, she tried to refrain from rolling her eyes at this man. She knew that the people of the city came from different worlds but he seemed incredibly cliche. With one hand on her hip she looked away and tried not to look annoyed. Come on, you just met this man.

“I do not know what world you hail from but its clear that it’s different from mine.” Besides, it wasn’t magic, it was magecraft. But hey she wasn’t going to correct him on that. “Do you have more condescending words for me? Speak up.”

[corpuscaelestus]

“It isn’t my intent to be condescending...I simply...know the path you walk. I’ve been there myself. If I thought I could convince you to turn back, I would try...but I know that’s foolish.” 

The woman’s words were filled with more venom than many, but he had felt barbs far sharper than hers from those he placed much more highly. Still...to see someone whose path so resembled the one he had once walked...it was a sight that he couldn’t seem to tear himself from. In his darkness, Erza had been his light...did this woman have someone like that?

[requippedheart]

corpuscaelestus

[requippedheart]

[ ☩ ] - Due to the unforseen circumstances of the attack from the other Hive City, there wasn’t.. a lot of talking. Despite how much she wanted to say.. it was just.. too hectic for that. That having been said, they agreed to meet up after the event had ended to just.. speak. As equals in a foreign land. It wasn’t the best of circumstances but.. it was the best they could manage. 

“ I can’t call these circumstances favorable but.. at the very least we’re both here. “ Although.. actually speaking now, all Erza could feel now were the words in her throat choked back and unable to come out properly. 

[corpuscaelestus]

The fighting had kept the two of them busy but now that the two were finally alone to speak as equals once more, Jellal found his resolve wavering. The tightness in his throat was enough to make him feel as if he was being choked, and as he turned to face Erza fully, he couldn’t bring himself to look her in the eyes as he forced himself to speak.

“This isn’t how I wanted us to meet again, Erza...but I’m glad to see you regardless. How are...how have you...”

Cutting himself off as he cursed silently in his mind for how awkward and forced his words felt, he forced himself to take a deep breath and clear his thoughts. He needed to remain composed.

“...have you been well?”

[tinyfists]

Time came and went, and with it went the familiar faces. Cursed to remain in the city for nearly two years now, enduring the hardships that transpired nearly weekly, it was the little things that Wendy had adapted to ease her troubled mind. Fellow mages of Earthland’s Fairy Tail seemed to come and go like the blustering wind, so there was seldom little relief to be found in old companions. But she’d made plenty of new friends in Hive City, so it wasn’t all bad.

It was hard, but honestly it was almost better not to grow attached to old acquaintances. After all, she was being burdened by so much and at times she felt like she didn’t even have the support she needed.

“Jellal-san?” Eyes setting upon a familiar tattoo as their paths had crossed, Wendy was clearly tired. Physically, she looked worn, she lacked her usual energy. Honestly it had been another long day, and she still had to check on the shelter before going home.

“It’s good to see you too! I’m surprised, honestly…” In the two years she’d been in the city, she’d seen Jellal a couple of times. He probably didn’t have any recollection of it, however, so she wasn’t going to mention it and risk making him uncomfortable.

[corpuscaelestus]

Stepping a small ways closer to Wendy, Jellal took a moment to examine her. She was...taller than he remembered, and the look in her eyes was different. It went beyond the simple exhaustion he could see assailing her form. What had this girl been through since he had last seen her to give her such a dangerous look? He could only speculate...

“I’m just as surprised as you...to think that this was the way that our paths would cross again. I see you’ve been hard at work.”

He knew that it must have still been strange for the young dragonslayer, knowing that he shared the same form as her former friend and mentor, Mystogan, but was not the same man. Still, the sight of a familiar face was something that had relieved some of the burden he had felt since arriving in the city, and he was glad for it.

“I would love to take the time to catch up, but I suspect that now isn’t a good time. Is there anything I can do to help in the meantime? You look like you could use it.”